Robinson Dental - January 2021

Robinson Dental - January 2021

Dental Digest WAYLAND •899 Reno Drive •Wayland, MI •49348 •269-509-4155

COOPERSVILLE •502 W. Randall St. •Coopersville, MI •49404•616-384-4129

JAN 2021

A 2020 Pandemic Roundup HOW WE FINALLY GOT HERE

As we embark on a new year, we wanted to send a very special thank-you to our team and to you, our readers and patients! We’re incredibly excited for what’s to come, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the outpouring of support that we’ve received through the pandemic.

We’re extremely glad we did all this though. We asked the head of the biggest hospital in West Michigan what we could do to help, and we immediately eased their demand by taking on many of their patients with serious dental emergencies. Over the course of the pandemic, we’ve seen over 500 emergency patients — many from other offices. Some even drove long distances to see us for treatment. Many felt relieved that they didn’t have to go to a crowded hospital for their treatment.

Let us tell you a little bit about how we managed to navigate this craziness.

As the COVID-19 crisis began to unfold at the end of February, our team had literally just returned from a four-day, three-night trip to Cancun. It was a massive trip that over 50 of our 70 team members attended. Honestly, the news of a potential virus coming seemed almost like make-believe to us. How could everything be so awesome and come to a standstill so quickly? But suddenly, as lockdown orders were issued, the standstill became a reality. In very little time, we had to figure out how to do things we’ve never done in our practice before, such as telehealth. Luckily, we were able to keep the office safe and open for emergencies because teledentistry is tricky — you just can’t take care of most dental needs over the phone. Even putting people on antibiotics is a very, very short-term fix.

“Over the course of the pandemic, we’ve seen over 500 emergency patients — many from other offices. Some even drove long distances to see us for treatment.”

As June hit, then July, then August, we were absolutely swarmed. It was the busiest three-month period that Robinson Dental has EVER had. We couldn’t have done it without an amazing team. We truly care about each other like friends and family. Throughout 2020, we were reminded of a very important lesson: Never take anything for granted. A lot of people made sacrifices so they could still come into the office, whether that was time at home with their kids who are e-learning or their own safety. Though the office follows all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, new information emerges every day about the virus. Our team is a team of friends. We hang out outside of work, and we’re really involved in community events. We can’t wait for the day that we can all let our guard down and enjoy time together without masks again. Until that day, we have exciting plans in store for 2021, such as a new office. Also, we’ve recently completely revamped our website RobinsonDental.org . It’s been such a crazy ride, but it’s a lot better when you have the right people on your side. We look forward to taking care of you soon! –Drs. Beth and Scott Robinson

From the start, several team members offered to go into the office despite us all knowing very little about the dangers of the virus or how it spread. A lot of doctors were kept on rotations so the team could be as small as possible. Everyone, including us, also had to take a six-week seminar to train on telehealth. With new safety protocols, it was a huge effort on everyone’s part to take care of the patients.

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3 DANGEROUS DENTAL ‘HACKS’ ON TIKTOK Don’t Try This at Home!

TikTok, the popular smartphone app for making short videos, has become life- hack central. You can find all kinds of videos showing you how to make your life a little easier, including clever makeup and fitness tutorials. However, there are also life hacks that are downright dangerous, especially when it comes to dental care. If you want whiter teeth, buildup removed, or chips fixed, talk to your dentist and see what options are available for you — and don’t try these methods at home! Tooth Filing On its own, that sounds downright horrifying, but some TikTok users have created videos showing people how to “repair” chipped or broken teeth at home. The videos feature teens using nail files on their teeth, though some have used metal files, which is even worse. Many of these videos are not faked and have spawned copycats that further spread misinformation. As a result, people do serious damage to their teeth. Filing wears down enamel and can even damage the dentine layer under the enamel, leading to painful sensitivity and infection. Teeth Whitening With Hydrogen Peroxide Teething whitening is a very common procedure that can be done at home or at the office when using approved products and following instructions. However, TikTok users are applying hydrogen peroxide directly to their

gum tissue, which can do serious damage. Hydrogen peroxide

destroys living cells, which can include the cells in gum tissue, and damages enamel. While most stores sell highly diluted hydrogen peroxide, TikTok users are buying higher concentrations online. Do not do this! Always consult your dentist before whitening your teeth.

Removing Plaque and Tartar Buildup Dental scrapers are readily available online and at the supermarket, but they should not be used at home. In recent months, TikTok users have been showing viewers how to use these tools at home to scrape away the buildup that can accumulate around the gum line and between teeth. Without proper training, doing this at home can result in injury or damage to teeth and gums. The bottom line is that, in a vast majority of cases, people can simply avoid plaque and tartar buildup by brushing and flossing their teeth twice a day and visiting their dentist every six months. It doesn’t get any easier — or safer — than that.

Our Longtime Dental Assistant and Passionate Smile Advocate Meet Mandy!

Mandy Willcome knew she wanted to be a dental assistant since she was 4 years old! She’d “check” her parents’ teeth and play dentist all the time. Nowadays she still enjoys this work, and seeing people smile and be happy is a daily inspiration for Mandy. She attributes her love for dentistry to her love of smiles. As one of our longest-tenured dental assistants, Mandy likes to say that Robinson Dental found her. She was working with the previous owner of

She wouldn’t trade our doctors for anything! (What a relief!) But Mandy is a big reason why we’re able to make patients feel so at home at Robinson. She always says that people should feel welcomed as part of the family.

Giving back to the community is part of that to Mandy. “After all, God put us here to take care of each other, right?” she says cheerily.

Mandy finds her job incredibly rewarding. There is always something new to learn about dentistry and how to make it less stressful for patients. She feels appreciation from others’ smiles, kind words, hugs, and even special treats brought in by patients, and she appreciates knowing that she is helping people find their beautiful smiles and keep their mouths and bodies healthy as well. Mandy is also very dedicated to her life outside of work, which includes raising three girls and being happily married. She volunteers as a coach for her 6-year-old’s soccer team and cheers on her other two daughters during their games in the spring and fall. She also helps get all three of her daughters to Girl Scout meetings and other events all year. Although that’s changed significantly with COVID-19, she’s been enjoying the downtime too. She loves reading and watching Hallmark movies — anything with a happy ending.

this practice before we bought it, and since day one of our new practice, she’s been working with us. She started her career with night classes at the Careerline Tech Center, then moved to Olympia Career Training Institute before Dr. Robinson encouraged her to attend and supported her through Washtenaw Community College, where she became a registered dental assistant (RDA).

Mandy loves that the growth of the practice — advancements in technology and an increase in patients — hasn’t changed the quality of care we give our patients.

Thank you so much for everything you do, Mandy! We love you!

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WORD SEARCH

Research shows there’s a definite connection between looking good and feeling good. For example, optimism and positive self-talk can be just as impactful as a good diet and exercise. The benefits range from greater resistance to the common cold and lower rates of depression to better cardiovascular health and a longer life span. Unfortunately, optimism can be challenging when you’re self-conscious of your smile. Feeling pride in your smile is a big component to fully enjoying life’s best moments. A Whiter Smile Is a Perfectly Healthy New Year’s Resolution Smile Brighter This Year

FAMILY FIREWORKS FRIENDS JANUARY MIDNIGHT

BEGINNING CELEBRATION CLOCK COUNTDOWN

NEW PARTY WINTER YEAR

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole INGREDIENTS • 8 chicken thighs or drumsticks, lightly salted • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour • 1 onion, finely sliced • 2 celery sticks, thickly sliced • 2 carrots, thickly sliced • 1 leek, thickly sliced

We understand you want to look your best so you can feel your best and lead a healthier lifestyle. But where do you start?

Teeth whitening is a simple, affordable treatment that can be done in our office. This is perfect if you already have a great smile but your teeth are stained or need some touching up. After an hour, your teeth will be a few shades brighter and you’ll feel great! Enamel bonding is when we mold composite bonding material — also used in fillings — over your deeply stained or chipped teeth. Although it doesn’t last nearly as long as veneers, it looks great and tends to be less expensive. Dental veneers are the gold standard in cosmetic dentistry. After the enamel of your teeth is gently filed down and an impression is taken, your dentist will place thin, porcelain shells over your teeth. If your teeth can’t be whitened to the color you desire, not only can veneers make your teeth look bright white, but it can also completely cover fractured or broken teeth. Invisalign braces have become popular with adults because they gradually improve your teeth but nobody can see them! Plus, they fix more than your mouth’s aesthetics. Correcting teeth misalignment can help solve chronic headaches. There are many reasons to consider these treatments — but feeling just as good as you look is certainly the best of them all. Our team at Robinson Dental is here to help you take pride in your smile and have a healthy future!

• 1 lb potatoes, peeled and cut in large chunks • 2 garlic cloves, sliced • 14 oz chicken stock • 1 sprig rosemary • Finely grated zest and juice of 1/2 lemon • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large frying pan, heat oil and fry salted chicken on high until brown. 2. Transfer chicken to the slow cooker. Add flour and stir. 3. In the frying pan on high heat, fry the onion, celery, carrots, leeks, and potatoes until lightly browned. Add garlic and fry for 30 seconds. 4. Transfer vegetables to the slow cooker and add the stock, rosemary, and lemon zest. 5. Cook on high for 2.5–3 hours or until chicken is tender. 6. Check seasoning and add lemon juice to taste. Top with parsley before serving.

Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com

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502 W. Randall St. Coopersville, MI 49404 RobinsonDental.org

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

Inside THIS ISSUE Our Journey Through the Pandemic

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3 Dangerous Dental ‘Hacks’ on TikTok Meet Mandy!

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The Connection Between Looking Good and Feeling Good Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole 3 Give Yourself the Boost of Getting Outside 4

Let That Fresh Air Fuel You 4 T IPS TO MAKE GETT ING OUTSIDE EASIER

Hunkering down and waiting for the dark and chilly winter season to pass sounds pretty nice. But the reality is, if we deprive ourselves of time outside, we do ourselves a big disservice both mentally and physically. Staying indoors all day affects your energy and mood, which makes it hard to get anything done, so here are four easy tips to make it easier to get a little fresh air. 1. Make it a priority. Getting outside means making the conscious effort to do so. If you want to reap its benefits, you have to decide to make it a priority in your day-to-day schedule. If you make the act important to you, you have more motivation to actually do it. 2. Use mornings effectively. Waking up and getting the day started can be hard. But studies have shown that natural light helps decrease your melatonin production, which means you feel ready to face the day sooner. So, set yourself a second alarm to head outside and take a quick walk around the block just after waking. Don’t even wash your face or grab coffee. Just get out there. 3. Take your work outside. If you’re working from home, take some work outdoors. Phone and virtual meetings are a great outdoor option, especially if you’ll just be an active listener and aren’t required to do any work simultaneously. Attach a note to your meeting reminders to get yourself set up outside five minutes before you start.

4. Create a schedule. It might feel strange to set reminders throughout the day to step outside, but you easily get wrapped up in activities and overlook breaks, and these reminders are exactly what you need. Start with 10-minute blocks three times a day. If you stick to them, soon you won’t need a schedule to get outside anymore. Winter weather may be cold, but even when you’re bundled up under a jacket and scarf, just 5–10 minutes outside can do wonders for your mood and energy for hours.

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